This is a poem I wrote in the months after separating from a violent partner. I wrote it to help keep me focused on the bigger picture, instead of reacting to the injustice of his continued attempts to manipulate and control me with stalking and counter-accusing me (mirroring) to shift focus away from his own appalling behavior...

(image by Petr Kratochvil, www.publicdomainpictures.net)

My Journey, My Way

I will not forget the purpose Of embarking on this journey,Lest I lose direction and Fail to reach my destination.And though the path I follow Is fraught with danger, I am not afraid. Fear and anger Have ever been your tools; I no longer use them as my compass, For experience has made me wise.My courage comes from having faith In the morality of my purpose, and I trust instead my own tools Of love, intelligence and empathy, To show me the way.

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AUTHOR

Mel Stewart

3 years agofrom Western Australia

Thank you! While I agree that writing is cathartic, I also believe that if we are to bring change, we all have to accept that we have a responsibility to do what we can to inspire change, and this is my contribution.

ahorseback

3 years ago

Domestic violence grabs ahold of ones scychy and holds on to you for years , the hardest part is healing ones memory perhaps ? To forget .

awesome mission on your part !.....Ed

SimpleGiftsofLove

6 years agofrom Colorado

Appreciate your transparency. As a counselor and chaplain to many in the same experience I am a wounded healer, (having gone through it myself), this poem offers strength and hope. Up, awesome, interesting and useful and following!

AUTHOR

Mel Stewart

8 years agofrom Western Australia

Thanks again Dorsi, and I agree. I often read my poems again so that I can remember to look at the bigger picture...

Dorsi Diaz

8 years agofrom The San Francisco Bay Area

Beautifully expressed. It is good to look back at what we write from the heart.

AUTHOR

Mel Stewart

8 years agofrom Western Australia

Thank you CC, and I must say that yes, I need to read my poems often to keep things in perspective - "If you can't see the forest for the trees, stand back".

For me, writing the poems is part of the recognizing > understanding > accepting > healing process, and reading them over and over continues that process until one gets to the point where those thoughts and thought processes just come naturally (at least that is my theory anyway).

It's happening slowly, but surely. I do go backwards sometimes (and yes, HE is usually the trigger), but never too far or for too long. The longer I'm out of that situation, the more positive my "inner-voice" becomes, and I hope to reach that place soon, so that I can move on to bigger and better things - Like changing the world... LOL!

Thanks for your feedback and encouragement!

Chaotic Chica

8 years ago

This makes for a wonderful mantra! Great words to live by and ones that every survivor should read. Over and over again! You speak a lot of truth and wisdom here and I'm glad you were able to get to that place where you could find those words.

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